Quantification of Carbon Stocks With The Common Tree Genus In Dryland Forest In Taita Ranch, South Eastern Kenya

J. E. Eregae
Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology, JKUAT

M. W. Gichuhi
Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology, JKUAT

G. Mwangi
Wildlife Works Kenya, Rukinga Ranch

Abstract

Mapping of carbon stock in Kenya is central inestablishing what potential the country has as far as carbonemission and concentration reduction through forest carbonsequestration effort is concern. This will ultimately define andposition the country in carbon “business” if need be and displayefforts employed in combating global warming and climate changeby protecting and enhancing forest cover. There are some studiesthat have been conducted outside Africa continent majorly wetclimate forest on biomass estimation. However, little has beendone to quantify biomass in dry land ecosystem which is about70% of Kenya land. This study therefore aimed at establishing thelevel of carbon capture and storage by the common tree genus andtheir respective species in dry land ecosystem, and estimate theamount of co2 capture and storage potential of these species inSouth East Kenya. Twenty five tree species from fourteen genusand a total of 2060 individual trees were sampled. Wildlife Workregression model was used to do biomass estimation and thecomputation done estimated the total tree biomass in the study areaas 262 Mg, approximated to 26.2 Mg/ha. Biomass estimates variedsignificantly with genus Commiphora recording the highestbiomass of 241 Mg followed by Vachenia and Acacia whichrecorded 30 Mg. Boswellia, Lannae, and Boscia recorded 22Mg,18Mg and 11 Mg respectively. In terms of dominance genusCommiphora dominated at 46% followed by Lannea with 19% andBoswellia at 13% and Vachelia and Boscia recorded 9% each whilethe other pooled genus contributed 2%. The age of forest in thestudy area ranged between 30yrs to 40 years and based on theaverage biomass estimates then genus Commiphora is able tocapture about 5.5 Mg of CO2 per year, Acacia and Vachenia is ableto capture 5.4 Kgs while Boswellia, Lannae and Boscia are ablecapture 2.6kgs, 2.1kgs and 1.8kgs respectively and other genuspooled together capture 3.2kgs on average. Given the abovebiomass estimates therefore, genus Commiphora and Acacia andVachenia lead in terms of carbon capture, storage and release ofcarbon if harvested for charcoal production.